VOA慢速英语2019--Spring to Life!

 

Now, the VOA Learning¹ English program Words and Their Stories. This program explores the history and usage² of common expressions in American English.

Today, we talk about a time when half the world is waking from the dark, cold winter months.

Spring!

We often describe spring as a time of rebirth, renewal³ and awakening⁴. Many trees are blossoming⁵ and early flowers are pushing through the earth.

Things are coming to life!

When the weather turns warm, many people suffer from spring fever. Common “symptoms” of spring fever include not being able to focus on school or work, taking long walks, or falling in love.

So, are you actually sick when you have spring fever?

Originally, yes. Spring fever used to refer to an actual illness. When the weather turned warm, some people developed sore throats, headaches, or stuffy⁶ noses.

The definition⁷ of “spring fever” slowly changed in the early 1800s.

People came to use the term to mean a sudden increase of romantic feelings.

Elvis Presley describes this feeling in his song “Spring Fever.”

“Spring fever, it comes to everyone. Spring fever, it's time for fun. There’s no doubt now, love is in the air. Get up, get out, spring is everywhere”

These days, we use “spring fever” to describe a restless⁸ feeling after the long, cold days of winter.

But the word “spring” is not just a season. It is also a verb that means something happened or appeared quickly.

When you put “spring” and “life” together, you get spring to life. This expression means something suddenly becomes very active or perhaps seems more alive! You may spring to life after hearing that a distant friend will be visiting you. Or maybe your favorite soccer team finally sprang to life in the second half, played well and won the match.

But this is just the beginning. There are so many more "spring" expressions that mean to happen suddenly.

As you can see, American English has so many phrases that use “spring” to mean "something happens quickly." The ones we have heard are just the ones that sprang to mind. In other words, they were the first ones I thought of, without spending much time thinking about it.

But perhaps those examples are confusing. Maybe I should have prepared you instead of just springing them on you. And, I did it again. If you spring something on other people, you have surprised them, usually not in a good way.

We end this Words and Their Stories back on the season spring.

Here is a short poem by Oliver Herford titled “I Heard a Bird Sing.” It tells how a simple bird song brings a longing⁹ for spring during the month of December.

I Heard a Bird Sing

I heard a bird sing

In the dark of December

A magical thing

And sweet to remember.

“We are nearer to Spring

Than we were in September,”

I heard a bird sing

In the dark of December.

I’m Anna Matteo.

Words in This Story

rebirth – n. a period of new life, growth, or activity

renewal – n. the state of being made new, fresh, or strong again : the state of being renewed¹⁰

symptom – n. a change in the body or mind which indicates that a disease¹¹ is present

imagine – v. to think of or create (something that is not real) in your mind

annoy – v. to disturb or irritate¹² especially by repeated acts

coil¹³ – n. a long thin piece of material (such as a wire, string, or piece of hair) that is wound into circles

bounce¹⁴ – v. to move with a lot of energy and excitement

marathon – n. a footrace run on an open course usually of 26 miles 385 yards (42.2 kilometers); broadly : a long-distance race

1 learning   

n.学问，学识，学习；动词learn的现在分词

参考例句：

• When you are learning to ride a bicycle,you often fall off.初学骑自行车时，常会从车上掉下来。
• Learning languages isn't just a matter of remembering words.学习语言不仅仅是记些单词的事。

2 usage   

n.惯用法，使用，用法

参考例句：

• I am clear about the usage of this word at last.这个词的用法我算是弄明白了。
• The usage is now firmly established.这种用法现已得到确认。

3 renewal   

adj.(契约)延期，续订，更新，复活，重来

参考例句：

• Her contract is coming up for renewal in the autumn.她的合同秋天就应该续签了。
• Easter eggs symbolize the renewal of life.复活蛋象征新生。

4 awakening   

n.觉醒，醒悟 adj.觉醒中的；唤醒的

参考例句：

• the awakening of interest in the environment 对环境产生的兴趣
• People are gradually awakening to their rights. 人们正逐渐意识到自己的权利。

5 blossoming   

v.（植物）开花( blossom的现在分词 )；发展；长成；变得更加健康（或自信、成功）

参考例句：

• Our firm is blossoming out. 我们的公司正在成长。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The corn is blossoming [ripening]. 玉米正在开花[成熟]。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

6 stuffy   

adj.不透气的，闷热的

参考例句：

• It's really hot and stuffy in here.这里实在太热太闷了。
• It was so stuffy in the tent that we could sense the air was heavy with moisture.帐篷里很闷热，我们感到空气都是潮的。

7 definition   

n.定义；限定，确定；清晰度

参考例句：

• The book attempts a definition of his role in world politics.该书要阐明的是他在世界政局中的作用。
• I made a definition for this word.我给这个字下了定义。

8 restless   

adj.焦躁不安的；静不下来的，运动不止的

参考例句：

• He looks like a restless man.他看上去坐立不安。
• He has been very restless all day and he awoke nearly all last night.他一整天都心神不定，昨夜几乎一整夜没有合眼。

9 longing   

n.（for）渴望

参考例句：

• Hearing the tune again sent waves of longing through her.再次听到那首曲子使她胸中充满了渴望。
• His heart burned with longing for revenge.他心中燃烧着急欲复仇的怒火。

10 renewed   

adj. 更新的，重建的，复兴的，重申的 动词renew的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• They regrouped their forces and renewed the attack. 他们重新聚集兵力，再次发动进攻。
• The army renewed its assault on the capital. 军队重新发动对首都的攻击。

11 disease   

n.疾病，弊端

参考例句：

• The doctors are trying to stamp out the disease.医生正在尽力消灭这种疾病。
• He fought against the disease for a long time.他同疾病做了长时间的斗争。

12 irritate   

vt.使恼怒，使烦燥，使不适，使疼痛

参考例句：

• Don't irritate her,she's on a short fuse today.别惹她，她今天动不动就发火。
• These tight shoes irritate my toes.我的鞋太紧，夹痛我的脚趾。

13 coil   

n.(一)卷，(一)圈；线圈；vt.卷，盘绕

参考例句：

• He turned off the water and began to coil the hose.他关掉水龙头，开始盘水管。
• We suspected that something was wrong with the coil.我们疑心线圈有毛病。

14 bounce   

n.弹，反弹；冲劲，冲力；v.(使)弹起(跳起)

参考例句：

• She's got a lot of bounce.她浑身都是劲。
• The ball gave a high bounce.那球弹得很高。